When we look at statues of historical figures, we think of the extraordinary impact on their community through their actions. Well, according to the Bible, this is also how God sees us!
Well, there may not be a statue of us in heaven, but we will leave our mark there. Everything we give, whether in money or in times of prayer, God remembers. Our generosity does not go unnoticed. We can forget what we have given, but God does not forget our acts of faith. “And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4 NKJV).
When God gave victory to the children of Israel in their war against the Midianites, the people gave God tons of jewelry to thank Him. They were extremely generous in their donations, to the point that the leaders of the people made a memorial of them. “And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of meeting as a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord” (Numbers 31:54 NKJV). No one had forced the children of Israel to give such a generous gift to God after their victory, but they gave willingly, out of gratitude, and it left its mark before God and for generations to come.
It’s not because God has a short memory and needs a reminder to remember our good deeds. Rather, it is because it gladdens the heart of God, and every time He thinks of us, of our generosity, it fills the sky with an atmosphere of love. “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18 NKJV). And it’s also a way to show the next generation how much we love God.
We don’t give to God to show off. “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3-4 NKJV). But even though no one knows how much we have given, when we give with a generous heart and with love, our devotion stays like spiritual gold dust on us. It is a treasure that we accumulate in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). Giving to God develops our faith, makes us full of confidence in Him, and this is what becomes a lesson for those around us.
And unlike the standards of the world which elevate those who give a lot more than those who give less, God does not consider the amount we give, but rather the amount we keep! “Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:42-44 NKJV). God knows what represents a sacrifice for us, and it does not go unnoticed before Him.
Our offerings and sacrifices, whether in money or prayer, in time or worship, are like a monument or a memorial, before God. So let’s continue to be generous. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV).